The Iranian director behind Oscar-winning film The Salesman told about 10,000 protesters in London that solidarity against Donald Trump’s travel ban holds the power to “stand up to fascism, be victorious in the face of extremism.”

Speaking hours before the Oscars ceremony in Hollywood, Asghar Farhadi said the movement against the US president empowered people to “say no to oppressive political powers everywhere.”

“I am extremely happy that the scattered reactions from people and art communities across the globe shown to the oppressive travel ban of immigrants has developed into a powerful and unified movement,” he told the protest on Sunday night. …

For Iranians, Asghar Farhadi, whose movie The Salesman won the Academy Award for best foreign language film on Sunday, is more than just a filmmaker.

In a country where the state-controlled news media generally overlooks the stresses and strains of a normal middle-class existence, Farhardi — who refused to attend the Oscars ceremony to protest President Trump’s targeted travel ban — is one of the few to describe daily life. …